Editor's Note: The Cardinal Independent (The CI) is owned by Vivian Bostick. The following statement is issued by Bostick.
MUNCIE, Ind. - Indiana University (IU) has terminated Director of Student Media Jim Rodenbush for refusing to censor The Indiana Daily Student (IDS). Following this decision, IU cut the IDS’ print newspaper.
The theme of universities censoring journalists is not limited to the IDS–it’s national, and it’s unacceptable. The Cardinal Independent (The CI) firmly stands with the IDS and all student journalists.
Now more than ever, a free press is critical for our communities. If you, as a journalist, have been censored, you have an ethical duty to speak out.
As Media students, we hear in the lecture halls that the press is a watchdog, holding institutions accountable. It is jarring and outrageous that these same universities are firing their staff and silencing their publications.
The CI is proudly owned and operated independently from Ball State University, and proudly serves as a watchdog for the Ball State and Muncie communities.
The CI launched a dedicated email for Ball State students and staff concerned about expressing themselves: bsuexpressionconcerns@cimuncie.org.